Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) has announced the appointment of Omkar Salvi, the current head coach of Mumbai, as their fast bowling coach for the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season.
Salvi, who led Mumbai to domestic triumphs, including winning the 2023-24 Ranji Trophy in March and the Irani Cup in October, brings a wealth of experience to RCB. His appointment marks a return to the IPL coaching scene, having previously served as assistant bowling coach for Kolkata Knight Riders and as the bowling coach for Mumbai.
Salvi’s brother, Avishkar, is also a well-known figure in cricket coaching, serving as the bowling coach for the Indian women's cricket team and having led Punjab to victory in the Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 Trophy last season.
Salvi is expected to join RCB after the domestic cricket season ends in March, aligning with the likely start of IPL 2025 at the end of the month. His tenure with the Mumbai Cricket Association concludes at that time, allowing him to take on his new role.
Under Salvi’s guidance, Mumbai achieved significant success, including their 42nd Ranji Trophy title in March. Mumbai defeated Vidarbha by 102 runs in the final, securing their first Ranji win in eight years. Later, they triumphed in the Irani Cup, ending a 27-year drought.
Mumbai captain Ajinkya Rahane praised Salvi’s unassuming style, saying, "It’s great to have a coach like Omkar with us. He proves you don’t need flashy names to succeed. He stays low-profile but gets the best out of everyone."
Despite having played just one match for Railways in 2005, Salvi has become a respected figure in Indian cricket coaching, earning the admiration of players for his effective methods.
Currently, Mumbai sits third in the Elite Group A standings of the 2023-24 season with 22 points from five games, marking another successful year under Salvi’s leadership.
RCB, aiming for their first IPL title after reaching the playoffs last season, faces a challenging task, particularly with improving their bowling performance, which has often been a weakness, especially in the high-scoring matches at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.
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